December 1, 2023 10:15 a.m. 

On Thursday, the Oregon Health Authority announced the state will update its plan for how climate-related devices are distributed to eligible Oregon Health Plan members prior to a forecasted weather-related emergency.

The benefits are projected to begin in March 2024, pending federal government approval.

An OHA release said the agency initially proposed introducing climate benefits for OHP members in January 2024 as part of Oregon’s 1115 Medicaid waiver, which uses federal dollars to provide climate devices like air conditioners, air filtration devices, and portable power supplies to eligible Medicaid members. However, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services informed the state that distributing climate devices prior to an emergency declaration would not be possible.

Interim Director of OHA Dave Baden said, “The limitation would have severely restricted distribution of climate devices, so we sought feedback from state partners and a more flexible approach”. Baden said, “We look forward to continuing to work with CMS and moving toward final approval”.

The release said additional details will be provided in the coming weeks. Information about Oregon’s 1115 Medicaid waiver is currently available on OHA’s web site: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/pages/index.aspx